British poultry can once again reach South African tables, after the UK secured market access estimated to bring up to £160m to industry over the next five years.
The development will allow UK traders to export poultry to South Africa for the first time in eight years, after restrictions were placed on UK imports following outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK. The UK was declared free from avian influenza earlier this year.
Lowering this trade barrier has been one of the UK’s priorities for agricultural trade, and its resolution marks a significant step forward, benefiting South African consumers with access to high-quality and securely supplied poultry meat.
“In 2016, our poultry meat exports to South Africa were worth over £37 million. We look forward to embracing this new opportunity to export safe and nutritious British poultry meat.”
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead
High value exports
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “The re-opening of the South African market represents a great opportunity for British poultry producers and we appreciate the work of Defra and the agri-food attaches to remove this trade barrier.
“In 2016, our poultry meat exports to South Africa were worth over £37 million before the market was shut due to the presence of AI in the UK. The lifting of this barrier is a testimony of the safety, high welfare and quality of our produce and we look forward to embracing this new opportunity to export safe and nutritious British poultry meat.”
Growing the UK economy
Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner met South African ministers, Deputy Minister Rosemary Capa (Agriculture) and Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield (Trade), last week to finalise the deal. This access will provide further opportunities to grow the UK economy and strengthen the trading relationship between both countries.
Minister Zeichner said: “This deal not only opens new opportunities for UK poultry traders, but grants a new avenue through which to grow the UK economy.
“We’re one step further on our journey to securing better trade deals for UK farmers, improving industry resilience and kickstarting our food exports.”
South Africa has historically been an important market for UK poultry and teams from across government have worked in combination with their counterparts in South Africa for many years to regain market access.
International Meat Trade Association CEO Katie Doherty said: “The reopening of South Africa for UK poultry meat exports is fantastic news for UK producers and exporters – prior to the ban, it was a vital market for UK exporters.
“It is testament to all the hard work by Defra’s market access team and the agricultural attachés and other officials who have supported this crucial work over many years, for which we are very grateful.”
Highest safety standards in agriculture
In September, the British Ambassador to the Philippines hosted a networking reception at her residence celebrating a significant milestone in UK- Philippine trade relations: the return of UK poultry imports to the Philippines after a three-year ban imposed over AI.
Ambassador Laure Beaufils said: “Tonight, I am here to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the highest safety standards in agriculture, to celebrate with all of you the return of UK poultry to the Philippines after three years, and indeed to celebrate the growth of this industry, which is key to nutritional outcomes in the Philippines.
“UK-Philippines trade reached an all-time high of £2.8 billion in 2023, with UK meat becoming the second-most exported commodity at £37.2 million.
“With UK poultry back on the menu, we anticipate significant growth in these figures,” she added.
